Rhododenron Plant named KURAANGEL

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plant named ‘Kuraangel.’ The variety is botanically identified as  Rhododendron L . The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of properties, including but not limited to, corolla lobe color.

Latin name of the plant claimed: The variety is botanically identified as Rhododendron L.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of Japanese Plant Variety Protection Application No. 33197, filed on Jun. 20, 2018, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘Kuraangel’ originated from the controlled cross of the plants ‘Wedding Bouquet’ and ‘Purple Splendor’ performed in April 2003. ‘Kuraangel’ were planted in the fall of 2003 in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan. From among the flowers that bloomed in 2007, those that were large and pink with attractive blotches were selected. As a result of tissue cultures in 2012 and trial production in the field, ‘Kuraangel’ was determined as being a practical variety in 2016, and breeding was completed.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plant named ‘Kuraangel.’ The variety is botanically identified as Rhododendron L. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of characteristics as set forth below.

When compared to the ‘Mrs. Fujii’ variety having blossoms with a primary color that is pale pink, almost white (RHS color chart N74D) and a secondary color that is a very pale purple (RHS color chart 76D), the blossoms of the new variety of the present invention, ‘Kuraangel,’ do not have a secondary color and exhibit attractive blossoms with a single light purple color (RHS color chart N75B). The annual blooming time for ‘Kuraangel’ is about 10 days later than ‘Mrs. Fujii.’ ‘Kuraangel’ has larger and particularly longer leaves (about 12 centimeters (cm) in length and about 3.5 cm in width) compared to ‘Mrs. Fujii’ (about 10 cm in length and about 2.5 cm in width). The branch color of a one-year old plant of ‘Kuraangel’ is pale green (RHS color chart 143C), whereas the branch color of a one-year old plant of ‘Mrs. Fujii’ is dark red purple, almost brown (RHS color chart 180A). ‘Kuraangel’ has a smaller truss size (about 15 cm in diameter and about 15 cm in height) than ‘Mrs. Fujii’ (about 25 cm in diameter and about 20 cm in height). ‘Kuraangel’ has fewer corolla per truss, about 12, than ‘Mrs. Fujii,’ about 15, but the size of the corolla of ‘Kuraangel’ is similar (about 10 cm in length, about 10 cm in height, and about 7 cm in thickness) to ‘Mrs. Fujii’ (about 10 cm in length, about 10 cm in height, and about 5 cm in thickness). Strong independent spots are present on the surface of the corolla of ‘Kuraangel,’ whereas spots are absent on ‘Mrs. Fujii.’

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety, including foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in color illustrations of these characteristics.

FIG. 1 illustrates the upper side of the flowers and the plant;

FIG. 2 illustrates a full view of the cultivation area showing the leaves of the plant;

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of the flower;

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up of the dissected flower; and

FIG. 5 illustrates, for comparison, the upper side of ‘Mrs. Fujii.’

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based upon observations taken of plants grown in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan. Observations of ‘Kuraangel’ were taken during the 2007 growing season.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Rhododendrum L. -   Principle use: Flowering shrub for potted plant and open-field     cultivation. -   Parentage: The female parent is ‘Wedding Bouquet,’ and the male     parent ‘Purple Splendor.’ -   Propagation: The new variety was propagated using tissue cultures.     Growth points were collected from lateral buds of shoots, and     cultivation and growth were performed without using calli. -   Plant:     -   -   Size.—At 3 years of age, plants of the new variety commonly             exhibit a height of approximately 40-50 cm and a width of 30             cm.         -   Habit.—Vigorous and compact. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Evergreen flowering shrub, simple semi-glossy             lanceolate leaves with acute apex, and obtuse margins.         -   Size.—Mature leaves growing midway up the stem commonly are             approximately 12 cm in length and approximately 3.5 cm in             width.         -   Color.—RHS color chart NN137B on the upper surface, and RHS             color chart 143C on the under surface. -   Branches:     -   -   Color.—One-year old wood — RHS color chart 143C. -   Flowers:     -   -   Period.—Blooms approximately April 15 in the evening when             cultured at Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan.         -   Truss shape.—Generally a sphere.         -   Truss size.—Approximately 15 cm diameter, and approximately             15 cm in height.         -   Corolla per truss.—Approximately 12.         -   Corolla shape.—Open funnel shape.         -   Corolla size.—Approximately 10 cm in length, 10 cm in width,             and 7 cm in thickness.         -   Number of lobes.—Five lobes per floret.         -   Margin of lobes.—Wavy to frilly.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Calyx size.—Approximately 2 millimeters (mm) in length.         -   Color.—One color on the surface of the corolla lobe. The             surface of the corolla lobe is light purple (RHS color chart             N75B). Strong, independent spots are present on the throat             of the corolla lobe. -   Winter hardiness: Has survived winters with temperatures as low as     −3° C. in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan. -   Disease resistance: During observations to date, the foliage has     been disease resistant. Although generally, Rhododendron L. plants     are prone to root rot disease, which tends to occur in in high     temperatures, ‘Kuraangel’ is resistant to root rot because it is     resistant to high temperatures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rhododendron L. plant, substantially as shown and described. 